Job offer

Sounds like a great position to be in.
Remember, they called you. You didn't call them.

Why by Monday, if they insist on Monday I would say No. Too big a decision to decide over a weekend.

I have to agree with Robert on this. It is too important of a decision to be made hastily.

>offered a partnership

Sounds like big risks and big rewards, not just a job. You need to understand their business more completely than you appear to before committing.

Wise comments so far.

Monday is too soon. But, I'm one of those people who stares at the buttons inside the elevator and reconsiders rather or not I really want to push a button and, if so, which one.

I would not consider a partnership with partners that demand an answer in such a short notice. What is the big rush?

It's nice to have an offer, but was any consideration given to the valuation of business that you have built?

IMHO there should also be discussion of purchasing your business...

Go for it.

They are offering enough for your wife to quit her job, what are you waiting for?

> Go for it.
>
> They are offering enough for your wife to quit her job, what are you waiting for?

[sarcasm]sez the guy with the upside-down avatar [/sarcasm]

😛

I'm confused, Matt

> It sounded as though I would just be subbing their surveying work.
> The salary is enough that my wife could quit her job...

Are you going to sub their work, or be an employee? You can't do both.

Personally, I wouldn't give up a professional interest to be someone else's employee. You would be going the wrong way on the ladder, in my opinion.

If they need a good deal of surveying and want someone to pay a keener interest in their work; hammer out a retainer agreement and also maintain your personal business interest. I would think if they needed YOU like you think, they might be open.

But the "by Monday" thing doesn't smell good to me, either...things that make you go "hmmmmm".

I'm confused, Matt

They probably gave it some thought and decided that getting you on the payroll would ultimately be a much better deal for them than if you subbed their surveying. I'd insist on the latter and work on my own schedule.

That there is funny, Mr. file 😉

One day the Lord said, "Dave, I want you to be that boy's Grandfather and he is going to live in your house!" I initially said no because I was living a quiet, empty nest life. Well the Lord wouldn't accept that answer so here I am, helping to bring up a little boy. He is the light of my life.

The day I said yes his Grandmother chewed me out privately for getting that far ahead of her but I was right to jump in feet first for that kid.

Sounds Good, But Beware What A Partnership Means

You could be liable for all his debts.

If he would not let me see his books, I walk away fast.

Paul in PA

The cold calling has lots of Qs....

Given the cold calling offer and that you are already solo you could consider a part time trial to assess the business practice and type of work load. It would mean that you would be busy servicing your clients. But if you need say three days for self , albeit hectic then service your current clients and spend two successive days working per week on an agreed rate. Because last thing you want to do is hastily burn your own business bridges.

As already said you do not know what you are getting into as far as past liability and economics of current practice. I would want to consult a solicitor and a business accountant first and take their advice on steps to take prior to signing a partnership dotted line. The checking can all happen during your part time salaried work period and then form a part of your decision to jump in or stay on your own.

Your post does not indicate if the other fellow had offered you a chance to assess the practice over the weekend.

A business partnership is like a marriage. Needs a healthy courting period as divorces are messy and an expensive lawyers picnic.

RADU

I've always heard that entering into a partnership was like getting married. The point being you don't marry someone on the first date.

My advice is to propose you both give the "partnership" a trial run. Try it with you working as a sub for 6 months. Then you can both assess whether or not a marriage is likely to work.

Oh and if it does get to that point, be sure you have a knowledgeable attorney help you draft the marriage partnership agreement.

Larry P

GET THE FACTS

So far the consensus is to walk away with the demand for a quick answer.

I'd suggest instead that you get the facts about why the demand for a quick answer and get very specific about terms of employment / partnership.

They may be in a position where they can't afford to to wait for a month for your answer before they start looking for someone else. And if you demand a trial period as a sub before you sign on they may keep looking for a partner and you could lose out.

So as with all business decisions - GET THE FACTS before you make a decision.

I get it now. Your life has no doubt been turned upside down! Hang in there!

Non Compete Clause

Watch out for a non compete clause in your agreement. If the partnership doesn't work out you may no be able to go back into business for yourself in the same area.

T.W.

Upon further review and reading more commentary, I honestly missed that "by Monday" part.

A major decision like that should be thought over.
No "by Monday" decision would be made by me.
If they are going to demand and answer by Monday, mine would be "no".
There hasn't been ample time to mull things over, get the facts, etc.

If they want you that bad, let you be their "go to guy" for the survey work.
Keep it that way.
You've been doing well over the past year on you own - as you said.
Keep it that way.

Perhaps "tread lightly and cautiously" would be good.